First Visit to Lingyin Temple's Huyuan Cave

Huyuan Cave is located in the Feilai Peak Scenic Area, between Lingyin Temple and Yongfu Temple, opposite the five-star Aman Hotel. Legend has it that when Master Huili, the founder of Lingyin Temple, came to Hangzhou, he saw Feilai Peak and said, "This is a small ridge on Mount Lingjiu in the Middle Tianzhu Kingdom of West India. I don't know when it flew here." People didn't believe him, so he said there were two black and white apes on the mountain, and they must have flown over together this time. He said he would call them out. Master Huili then called out a few times, and sure enough, two apes jumped out of a nearby cave, one black and one white. Hence the name Huyuan Cave. Starting from Amanfayun Hotel, Huyuan Cave is located behind a seemingly closed gate opposite the "He Teahouse." After entering the gate and crossing a small stone bridge on the left, follow a path half-covered by moss and weeds for 50 meters to reach the cave. The statues in Huyuan Cave are roughly divided into two groups, not far apart. The group of statues on the nearby cliff has a central niche with a statue of Water-Moon Guanyin. The base of the statue is not carved in the usual lotus seat style but resembles rugged cliffs or Taihu stones, symbolizing Mount Potalaka. Below is a realistic depiction of lotus leaves and two lotus flowers, with the skirt draping down the side of the lotus seat. The statue wears a crown and has a round, serene face. On either side are Sudhana and Skanda. The middle niche features a seated Amoghasiddhi Guanyin with three faces and eight arms holding ritual implements, one of the many incarnations of Guanyin. The right niche has a solitary seated statue of Amitabha Buddha. A few steps forward and up a flight of stairs is another larger group of statues, also with three niches. The left niche features the Western Three Saints; the middle niche has a statue of Amitayus about 2 meters high, flanked by seated statues of Manjushri and Tara; the right niche has a solitary seated statue of Tara. The statue wears a pointed crown, earrings, and has slightly open eyes. However, due to the limestone material, the statues have varying degrees of damage!